# NTSB IAD79FA010: Piper PA-32, N1104X, Melfa, VA, November 8, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 8, 1978
- Place: Melfa, VA · MELFA, VA
- Location: 37.6490° N, 75.7407° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Melfa, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6490&lon=-75.7407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 1, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 138415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD79FA010
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FA010

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3911   78/11/8   MELFA,VA            PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 38, 500
        TIME - 1520                    N1104X              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 250 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MYRTLE BEACH,SC             DOVER,DE
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, IN PERSON
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - ADVERSE/UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST/LOWER SCATTERED                                  1200
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- RECOVERY DATE 11/13/78.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1104X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1104X-1980-07-11), registration cancelled 1980-07-11, S/N 32-7540144, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19781108042149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781108042149A), Nov 8, 1978: Piper PA32300, Melfa, VA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Recovery date 11/13/78.

## Other investigations on N1104X (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA78DLG15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78DLG15), Mar 26, 1978: Piper PA32 (N1104X), Summerville, SC, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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